EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA SEEDS EXTRACT ON SERUM C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN ALBINO RATS

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein. It predicts future risk of cardiovascular diseases. Different medicinal plants and their active ingredients possess the ability to reduce serum CRP levels and hence inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular diseases. In our study, ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds was evaluated in albino rats for its possible effect on serum CRP levels. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds on an acute inflammatory biomarker/mediator, Creactive protein (CRP) in albino rats. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (RCT). PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Physiology Department, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Lahore; from September to November, 2009. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 90 male albino rats. Five percent (5%) formalin in a dose of 50 μl was injected into sub-plantar surface of right hind paw of each rat to produce inflammation. The rats were randomly divided into three groups of thirty each. Group A was given normal saline (control); group B was given Nigella sativa seed extract; and group C received diclofenac sodium, as a reference drug. CRP levels in each group were measured from blood samples taken 25 hours after giving formalin. RESULTS: The ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds, given intraperitoneally, caused highly significant (p 0.001) reduction in serum CRP levels as compared to control group. The reduction in CRP levels by ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa was also significantly (p 0.05) more than that produced by diclofenac sodium. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Nigella sativa possesses ability to reduce serum CRP levels significantly, after production of artificial inflammation, in albino rats